U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, that U.S. forces have supported the transit of over 1 billion barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz in the "last couple of months." Cooper stated that U.S. forces assisted over 2,000 commercial ship transits through the waterway by providing coordinated protection, which included clearing primary transit lanes of mines. Cooper attributed the flow of oil to U.S. military efforts despite an ongoing conflict between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran that began at the end of February.
The Strait of Hormuz typically handles approximately 20% of the world's daily oil consumption. Since the conflict began, shipping traffic has fluctuated; intelligence company Kpler reported in August that vessel counts dropped from 11 a day to six, and as few as three ships transited the strait last Wednesday. In contrast, Cooper reported that the volume of oil, natural gas, and cargo moving through the strait over the past two weeks reached its highest level in six months.
While Gulf partners have shipped over 1 billion barrels, Cooper stated that Iran has exported "zero barrels" due to what he described as an "ironclad blockade" by U.S. forces. President Trump echoed this assessment in recent remarks, stating that the U.S. now "strongly" controls the strait after conducting strikes on Iranian radar systems and aircraft. However, Iran continues to challenge this; on Friday, Iranian officials claimed to have struck an oil tanker attempting to pass through the strait illegally, marking another incident in a conflict that has surpassed 200 days.
The military blockade and the resulting halt of Iranian exports represent a shift in regional policy. The President stated that an objective of the conflict is to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, claiming the U.S. has already achieved this goal. However, a New York Times/Siena University poll found that 62% of respondents disapprove of the administration's handling of the economy. The U.S. is working with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), insurers, and shipping companies to increase traffic.
What happens next depends on the duration of the U.S. blockade and potential Iranian retaliation. While Trump mentioned alternative routes, such as new pipelines and a road through Syria, the Strait remains a primary artery for global energy. The conflict has become an issue for the upcoming midterm elections, as lawmakers face pressure regarding gas prices and the length of military deployments. No specific end date for the blockade has been announced, but the U.S. military is forming a new coalition attack drone unit to maintain current operations in the region.